The Intelligent Energy Association has completed a new stage of the “Energy for Life” project for reducing extreme energy poverty

The Intelligent Energy Association has implemented the seventh edition of the “Energy for Life” project, a step forward towards the goal of 0 homes without electricity.

At the end of August, for 9 houses in the village of Peste Valea Bistrii, belonging to the city of Câmpeni (Alba County), which have never been connected to the electricity grid, the difference between darkness and light will be made by simply pressing a switch, following the installation of photovoltaic panels within the “Energy for Life” project.

In November 2023, the Intelligent Energy Association concluded with the Ministry of Energy the “Partnership for combating energy poverty”, with the aim of achieving the desired goal of eradicating extreme energy poverty in Romania. With the support of the Ministry of Energy, as part of the partnership, the inventory of homes not connected to the electricity network in Romania was carried out and the “National Electronic Register of Households without Electric Energy in Romania” (RENGEER) was compiled, which revealed a number of 5,494 households without electricity, inhabited by 11,611 people, of which 4,777 are under the age of 18.

“Lack of access to energy is a problem we face in isolated mountain areas. Thousands of families live in the dark, without the possibility of plugging in a refrigerator, a TV, or simply turning on a light bulb. Since the beginning of the mandate, I have supported this project, which represents a gesture of solidarity and an opportunity to contribute to improving the lives of parents and children. We at the Ministry of Energy maintain our commitment to ensuring energy for every Romanian, that’s why, on September 29, the Ministry is organizing for the first time the Energy Cross – Energy for All, a charity event, after which all the money raised will be donated to the cause ” Energy for Life,” said Sebastian Burduja, Minister of Energy.

“The Intelligent Energy Association will continue to implement new stages of the “Energy for Life” project and electrify households in isolated areas, with no chance of being connected to the electricity grid in the near future, by installing photovoltaic panels. In all the seven stages carried out in the 4 years since the initiation of this project, civil society was the one that contributed to the electrification of these households and I think we have demonstrated that there can be a good collaboration between companies, NGOs and the authorities to the state that will lead to solving some problems of national interest. One of the biggest achievements of the “Energy for Life” project, in addition to the electrification of the beneficiary houses, was the increase in awareness of the extreme energy poverty in Romania and the creation of a strong community that supported our approach and became an ambassador of our efforts for achieving the desired goal of 0 permanently inhabited houses without electricity.” – Monica David, Vice President, Smart Energy Association, Energy for Life Project Coordinator.

“We are happy to continue the collaboration with the Smart Energy Association within the <<Energy for Life>> project and to actively contribute to the sustainable development of Romania. The second stage of the <<Energy for life>> project, fully supported by Electrica Furnizare, which consisted in the installation of photovoltaic panels on 5 houses in the Harghita Mountains, convinced us that we have partners who share the same values. That is precisely why Electrica Furnizare is with the Intelligent Energy Association in this new initiative in the village of Peste Valea Bistrii, where 5 families will benefit from electricity in their homes for the first time. We thank the association’s representatives again for the initiative and assure them that they will always find a reliable partner in us for such projects”, said Darius Dumitru Meșca, the general director of Electrica Furnizare.

“I emphasize our firm commitment to supporting the “Energy for Life” project. For us, this project is not only a social initiative, but an essential objective that contributes directly to the eradication of energy poverty in Romania. It is an honor but also a responsibility for Hidroelectrica, the most valuable company of the country, to join and support a project of national importance. We believe that access to electricity is a fundamental right, and our involvement in “Energy for Life” reflects our values ​​and mission to bring light not only literally, but also figuratively, to the lives of those who need it most.

We will continue to support this project and work closely with all parties involved to make this vision a reality. We are convinced that together we can build a brighter future for Romania” – Karoly Borbely, CEO of Hidroelectrica

“Energy for life” was launched in the summer of 2021 with the aim of raising an alarm about the extreme energy poverty in Romania. The project enjoyed a strong echo both in the media and among companies and quickly coagulated a community of support that made its implementation possible. Following the conclusion of the Partnership for Combating Energy Poverty in Romania between the Smart Energy Association and the Ministry of Energy in the fall of 2023, the “Energy for Life” project will take place under the umbrella of this agreement.

In the last 4 years of activity, the Intelligent Energy Association has electrified a number of 51 buildings in 25 localities, located in 5 counties.

The seventh edition of “Energy for Life” was made possible thanks to the support of project partners: Filip & Company, Hidroelectrica, Electrica Furnizare, Design Proiect and EM360 Studio. Media partners: Economistul, Financial Intelligence, The Diplomat-Bucharest, Invest Energy, Focus Energetic, Energy Industry Review, Energy Center, NewsEnergy, Energy Magazine, Spot Media, Club Economic and Romania Durabila.